The Portuguese Armed Forces and the Revolution

This book, published in 1977, explores the origins of the 1974 Portuguese army rebellion, tracing its roots to the political independence of the armed forces, their strained relations with the regime, and the colonial wars. It examines the role of officers in government and the challenges faced by the military during political upheaval.

Format: Hardback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book, originally published in 1977, delves into the intricate origins of the left-wing Portuguese army rebellion of 1974, which brought down the 50-year-old authoritarian regime of Prime Ministers Salazar and Caetano. It explores the historical backdrop, encompassing the traditional political independence of the armed forces, their increasingly strained relations with the regime, and the culmination of colonial wars that fueled professional discontent. The subsequent Portuguese revolution serves as a unique and insightful laboratory for examining an army in crisis, the challenges officers faced in directing the political life of the country after April 1974, the impact on military organization, the traditional career patterns and attitudes of soldiers, and the significance of discipline. The book also delves into the role of officers in government and the day-to-day problems that political upheaval created within every barracks. This comprehensive study encompasses both the interplay between the armed forces and politics and the politics within the armed forces, situated within the broader context of the revolutionary era.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032128252